Tonight everyone enjoyed a night out! Even the rain couldn't damper our delight to head out on the town.

All of the parents were given gift cards to eat at a fancy New York City restaurant. They were thrilled to have a nice evening just as adults, but not as thrilled as their children were to have Kids Night Out!

Most of the families were a little later down to breakfast this morning, feeling the tiredness from an amazing a busy day yesterday. After filling their bellies with the Novotel's delicious breakfast spread everyone was able to perk up to begin a fun and full day in the city.

Currently (at 6:30am) the skies are clear and it is 53 degrees. This day will start with a delicious breakfast at the Hotel Novotel. Did I mention that this luxurious hotel is in the heart of Times Square and we only need to look out our windows to see the most spectacular view of New York City? Families have been enjoying the rooftop deck. Make sure you check out the pictures! (You have to be a member of the "Fans of the 2011 New York City Legacy Group".)

The day started early for many of the families attending the 2011 New York City Legacy Retreat. Some of them even started their travels yesterday to get to Manhattan for their Inheritance of Hope Retreat.

Ten days from today 16 families from 10 different states will arrive in New York City for a trip of a lifetime. They will arrive from California, Florida, Missouri, Minnesota, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.

Although we serve a wide variety of families with a wide variety of conditions it always amazes me that the community that develops at our Legacy Retreats is very rich and unified. These families may come from all over the country but they have much in common. One of the commonalities is their excitement regarding this retreat. Understandably so....

I have been training for a marathon for the past several months. It has been long, hard work for me. I have never enjoyed running and never thought I would be participating in any sort of race, let alone a 26.2 mile one!

One of the places that I have been doing most of my longer training runs is a beautiful park. It has 2 huge playgrounds, a skateboard ramp, a fenced in dog play area, covered picnic tables and a 1 mile paved track.

Usually when I am there I am circling that 1 mile loop of pavement anywhere from 13-20 times. (I know it's crazy!!!) Anyway, I often see the same familiar faces during my many loops.